Featured work – The Next Economy

Navigating the energy transition in 2026

Saideh Kent leads The Next Economy’s energy work. In this Q&A she shares her thoughts on what shaped the transition in 2025, how communities are responding, and what lessons can be learned for the year ahead.

What happened in 2025 that shaped the direction of the energy transition?

This year brought some big shifts. The change of government in Queensland led to a different approach to energy policy, which has affected things like the pace of investment. In some cases, approvals were reversed or delayed. That created uncertainty for communities and project developers alike and reminded everyone how important consistent policy is for long term planning.

One thing that stands out is how communities are becoming more involved in shaping outcomes. There is growing recognition of the importance of community benefit and social impact and we are seeing councils and local groups step in early. That is a positive sign, but many of them are still doing it without a clear process or enough support.

There has also been some mixed messaging nationally around net zero, which made things harder for people trying to understand what is happening. The National Climate Risk Assessment helped bring clarity. It gave people something solid to refer to and set out clearly why action is needed.

What is coming through in your conversations with regional communities?

What we are seeing is that every place is different. The transition looks and feels different depending on where you are. Some regions are preparing for coal closures. Others are experiencing rapid growth in renewables. Many are dealing with both at once. And the resources available to manage change vary widely.

But there is a clear sense of local leadership emerging. People are asking thoughtful questions about how this will affect their community and they are stepping into the conversation. There is strong appetite to engage, but also a need for more support to navigate the scale and speed of change.

People want trustworthy information and space to plan properly. That is something we can support. When communities have the tools and time to get involved early, they can play a powerful role in shaping how things unfold.

Meeting people where they’re at: speaking with Uralla locals about energy at their winter solstice.

How are regional leaders navigating the energy transition?

What we are seeing across the board is commitment. Councils, community groups, Traditional Owners, local businesses and regional development agencies are working hard to bring people together and plan for what is coming. They are balancing short term, real-time pressures with planning for the long term and they are doing it with limited resources.

They are also pushing for a greater say in decision making – continuing to call for place based approaches that engage people early and provide local people with an opportunity to inform actions that reflect local realities. People want to be partners in this transition, not just consulted after the fact.

What we know through our work, is they when regional leaders are provided with the resources and support they need to lead and manage change well, the outcomes are better for everyone – this includes, but is not limited to, better coordination and stronger backing.

Are there places where the transition is already going well?

Yes, and those examples are really encouraging. In Mount Isa and Uralla Shire, for instance, councils have worked with communities and industry to plan early, developing roadmaps for the energy transition and broader economic change in their regions, that are grounded in the realities of each region.

Those places are showing what is possible when you bring people together around a shared vision. They are looking at energy as part of a wider picture, including jobs, housing, infrastructure and services.

Even in places facing significant pressure in real-time, such as Hay and the Hunter region in New South Wales or Gladstone in Queensland – there is creative thinking and action underway. Communities are not sitting back waiting for others to lead the way – they are building local partnerships, trialling new approaches and looking ahead on their own terms.

At the Roma saleyards, connecting local history with the work of planning well for change in South West Queensland. **Credit:** Lyndsay Walsh.

What is most needed now as we head into 2026?

In Australia, the energy transition is well underway. It sometimes feels like we talk about is as though it is something that will happen in the future, not something that is happening right now. We are well into implementation so need to shift from reacting to leading – building on the knowledge, resources and capabilities that have been developed across different regions over the last 10 years – to give regions the tools, information and support they need to plan, make informed decisions and take action.

This also means being honest about the scale of the change required, the very real impacts and trade-offs and giving people space to shape it on their own terms.

There is still a clear need for national frameworks that provide clarity and certainty as well as support good practice around engagement, benefit sharing and accountability. But they need to be flexible enough to work in different contexts.

Most of all, we need to stay focused on what matters to people. This is not just about infrastructure or energy supply. It is about livelihoods, community wellbeing and the future of our regions. If we keep that at the centre and back the strengths that already exist in these places, we have every chance of making this transition work for everyone.

Walking Together: Building Indigenous Business in Northern Australia

A new report by Esparq Ventures, co-authored with The Next Economy

Esparq Ventures is working with Indigenous entrepreneurs across northern Australia to grow successful businesses grounded in culture, community and self-determination.

Walking Together shares early insights from this work. It highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous businesses, and how Esparq’s model is helping to grow a more connected, resilient and thriving Indigenous business ecosystem.

Co-authored with The Next Economy, the report features stories from the ground, reflections from the team, and lessons to inform policy, funding and systems change. It also captures the spirit of Esparq’s approach – walking alongside communities and backing their vision for the future.

Read the full report here

Find out more in our Q+A with the CEO of Esparq Ventures: Walking Together: A conversation with Darryl French-Majid

Nature, people and place: why Australia’s environmental laws are critical for regions

Australia is rewriting its national environmental laws in response to widespread recognition that the current system is failing both nature and communities. In our submission to the reform process, we shared what we’ve heard from regional Australians around how to make these laws work for people, place and the environment.

Australia’s national environmental laws (commonly referred to as the EPBC Act) are under reform, a long-awaited response to widespread recognition that the existing system has been failing both nature and communities.

Regional Australians and communities are on the frontline of economic and environmental change. Major infrastructure and industry projects are reshaping landscapes, economies and communities at a pace not seen for decades. These developments will often fall under the scope of these reforms, and how the new national environmental laws are designed and implemented will directly affect regional people, places and industries. Getting it right for the regions is key to getting it right for the country.

Lake Moondarra in Mt Isa, an important water resource for locals. Credit: Chris Grose

At The Next Economy, we made a submission to the recent national review process. Drawing on years of work alongside regional communities, we highlighted how clear and effective national environmental laws are essential not only for protecting biodiversity, but for ensuring regional communities can participate in, inform, and benefit from sustainable development.

We made a number of suggestions in our submission – including the need to involve regions as active partners in decisions around land, water, biodiversity and cultural heritage. Done well, this approach can build trust and provide long-term certainty for communities, industry and government.

Regions care deeply about the environment, and want a say in looking after it

People in regional areas have a deep connection to their local environments. First Nations peoples continue to care for Country they have for thousands of years. Farmers, land managers, and local organisations are restoring landscapes, protecting biodiversity, and trialling regenerative practices.

The clear message from across our engagement is: people want to contribute to environmental stewardship, not be excluded from decisions that shape the places they live and work in. In turn, national environmental laws should reflect and support this shared responsibility.

We’re not asking for handouts. We want the government to help us build sustainable, thriving and diverse regional communities.
Hunter Valley, NSW, resident

The pace of development is accelerating, and planning needs to keep up

From energy infrastructure to new mines and transport projects, many regional communities of Australia are experiencing a scale of development not seen before in their lifetimes. While most recognise the importance of reducing emissions and diversifying local economies, there is also legitimate concern the speed of development could damage the ecosystems they depend on.

For example, regional councils and planning bodies are under pressure, often managing overlapping project proposals without the resources or tools to coordinate them well. Proposed reforms to introduce bioregional planning could help manage cumulative impacts most effectively if the plans are developed transparently, with strong national environmental standards and meaningful community input.

National Environmental Standards set the rules and benchmarks that guide how environmental decisions are made. Embedding the intent of the Standards into the reform bill itself avoids the risk of processes being inconsistent, politically vulnerable, and failing to meet their intended goals.

What we have left in terms of biodiversity is precious and irreplaceable.
Uralla, NSW, resident

Community hopes and concerns around how renewables might impact nature and land use, Uralla NSW. Credit: Lyndsay Walsh

Community engagement is essential to building trust

Across every region we work in, from coal regions to those with agriculture and primary production as their foundation, people are asking for the same thing: early, clear and respectful engagement. They want to be involved in shaping the future, not just responding to decisions after they’re made.

Good engagement can’t be rushed and should be covered in its own Standard. It needs to be local, inclusive, and transparent – especially when dealing with complex planning issues. Structured dialogue, space for different views and clear feedback loops are essential to making engagement meaningful.

Staying informed, sharing what we are witnessing on the ground, and engaging in new ideas helps us better support Mount Isa families and individuals in need.
Mount Isa, Qld, resident

What’s needed to make these reforms work for regional Australia

Our submission to the reform process highlighted several opportunities to improve outcomes through the EPBC Act:

1. Participatory regional planning

Our experience working with regions highlights that effective regional planning considers cumulative environmental, social, economic and cultural impacts. Processes should be place- based, participatory and inclusive of diverse local voices including Traditional Owners and communities, who have local knowledge of land, water and climate pressures.

2. Safeguards around fast-track pathways

While faster assessments may be beneficial, they should not come at the cost of strong environmental standards or community input. Trust in planning systems relies on transparent, consistent rules that apply to all projects – including large and high- risk developments.

3. Local benefits from offsets and restoration

Offset mechanisms provide an opportunity to support environmental repair in the regions they affect. That means investing in locally governed land care and restoration efforts that create jobs, strengthen drought resilience, and go some way in compensating for damage and impacts to local ecosystems.

4. Embedding First Nations leadership

It is critical that environmental laws respect cultural values and rights, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent. Recognising First Nations knowledge, governance and land management is essential to ecological restoration and climate resilience.

5. Adapting to climate risk

Assessment frameworks must account for a changing climate, not just today’s conditions. Climate risk and future impacts on ecosystems, water and communities should be central to all planning and approvals.

We will know we are achieving a good energy transition when the environment is protected and nurtured.
Latrobe Valley, Vic, resident

Looking ahead: implementation will be the true test

Sunset on the Hay Plains, NSW. Credit: Jacqui Bell

Legislation matters, but what matters more is how it’s applied on the ground. For our national environmental laws to be effective, implementation should happen in ways that:

Deliver real improvements for the environment

Support strong, inclusive regional economies

Build public trust through transparency and accountability

Reflect the values and knowledge of local communities.

Regional Australia is where these reforms will play out – in our forests, farms, waterways, landscapes and towns. The knowledge and leadership already present in these communities is a critical part of getting it right.

Transition in South West Queensland: local views and questions

In November, The Next Economy travelled through South West Queensland, meeting councils, industry and local leaders to explore what transition means for the region. In this piece, our energy project officer Lyndsay Walsh reflects on the trip and how planning can reflect its realities, strengths and priorities.

We’re working alongside the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC) – a collaboration of six councils – to identify practical, locally driven opportunities that can help guide investment, attract funding, and support the region to manage change on its own terms.

We talk a lot about transition needing to be locally defined and nowhere is that clearer than here. South West Queensland is vast, roughly the size of Malaysia, but home to around 25,000 people. That scale and spread brings unique challenges, from maintaining road and energy networks across long distances, to adapting to an increasingly variable climate.

Reanna, Lyndsay and Saideh visiting Roma saleyards, in Maranoa.

As many of the people we spoke to pointed out: a policy written in Canberra or Brisbane simply can’t be copied and pasted here. It needs to be grounded in these local conditions, build on regional strengths, and help communities shape change in ways that work for them.

The drivers of change affecting us all

Right across the country, people and businesses are feeling the effects of changes happening globally. Climate extremes, shifting markets, new supply chain requirements and changing investment decisions are all influencing how regions grow and plan.

There’s growing attention on things like food security, clean energy, land stewardship and infrastructure. Net zero targets, geopolitical uncertainty, and the push for secure, sustainable supply chains are shaping decisions about what gets built, where industries invest, and who they partner with.

These aren’t abstract issues for South West Queensland. They are already showing up in tangible ways – from how weather affects freight and crops, to pressure on local infrastructure, or in rising insurance costs and supply chain expectations. This all points to the need for forward planning, not only to manage risk, but to actively shape the region’s future based on its own strengths and aspirations.

Listening to how people are making sense of change

That’s what we set out to support. Driving further west, the bitumen fading to gravel and the soil deepening from orange to red, we sat down with people in council chambers, on farms, in paddocks and over café counters.

We workshopped with councillors grappling with long-term planning in the face of immediate pressures. We stood in the dust at Roma Saleyards, witnessing the operations of the largest cattle market in the southern hemisphere. We toured cotton farms and vegetable farms, seeing how water, land, climate and policy meet in complex ways. And we spoke with business owners and community leaders in main street shops and offices, talking through the changes they are seeing on their streets, their challenges, and what they’re excited about for the future.

Everywhere we went, people were already doing the work of thinking ahead, weighing up risks and testing new ideas. The questions they’re asking are practical, grounded, and focused on one thing: how to make sure their communities stay strong, whatever lies ahead.

Reanna facilitating discussion at one of our council workshops, in Balonne.

Local perspectives on transition, and our insights on managing change well

Throughout our conversations, we heard a wide range of views about transition: what it means, why it matters, and whether it’s even the right word.

We often hear these kinds of questions and reflections in our work. They’re thoughtful, valid, and worth taking seriously, so we felt it might be helpful to share how we responded in this context.

“Transition will happen whether we like it or not, and we need to capture the benefits that relate to our shire.”

Transition is often not a choice – it’s happening. But how it plays out locally is up to the region. With a clear strategy, communities can position themselves to attract investment, support existing industries to adapt, and pursue new opportunities that reflect their priorities. Doing nothing risks those benefits being missed altogether and exposing yourself and your community to the risks of an unmanaged transition.

“Why do we need to manage change? Why can’t we just let it happen ‘organically’?”

Change is already underway and often driven by forces outside of local control. Letting it play out without planning usually means responding late, after the impacts have already landed. Planning isn’t about forcing change. It’s about getting ahead of it, understanding what’s coming, and shaping outcomes in a way that benefits the region.

“If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Things might be holding up for now, but many people are already feeling the cracks – whether it’s rising energy costs, workforce shortages or the loss of services. Waiting until it breaks makes it harder and more expensive to respond. Planning now protects what’s working and helps steer change in ways that make the region stronger.

“Don’t kill the patient by solving the issue.”

This is a valid concern – sometimes well-meaning solutions do more harm than good. That’s why local and meaningful participation is critical. This work is not about imposing answers from outside. It’s about working with people who know the place best, to find the right balance between protecting what matters and evolving where needed. A careful, practical approach can manage change without causing harm.

“We don’t fully understand what our opportunities are. What are we even transitioning to?”

There’s no single answer to this. The drivers of change – from climate and markets to policy shifts – are largely global and national. But how a region responds is deeply local, and depends on its industries, people, landscape and goals. The goal isn’t to meet someone else’s definition of transition, but planning for change in a way that’s practical, grounded and focused on managing it well. Or, in other words, transition to a future state where planning is informed by an understanding of the risks and opportunities being created by change, appropriate to local conditions, and deliberate about the outcomes the region wants to achieve.

The Cunnamulla fella taking in the sunset, in Paroo.

Developing the South West Queensland Regional Transition Strategy

This Strategy, due out in March 2026, is about helping the region plan for change on its own terms. It will set shared priorities, highlights local strengths and constraints, and identify practical actions to guide investment, shape policy and build collaboration across the region.

We recognise the real limitations that scale and distance create out west, the scale of change communities are being asked to navigate, and the limits of doing so without the right support. This strategy will aim to ease that challenge by setting clear regional priorities, identifying practical opportunities, and helping councils and communities advocate for the resources, partnerships and investment they need to respond in ways that work for them.

Watch this space for further updates on the project.

The Economy We Could Have: new paper out now

Australia’s economy looks strong on the surface, but behind the averages lie deep divides in housing, work, health and opportunity. Our new paper, The Economy We Could Have, asks what our economy is really designed to do, who it is working for, and how it can support people’s wellbeing.

Australia is at a pivotal moment. While headline statistics suggest strong performance, looking under the bonnet of these numbers reveals widening divides in housing, health, income, and opportunity. Rising inequality and climate disruption demand a closer look at our economic system: what is it designed to do – and who benefits?

The Economy We Could Have explores how Australia’s economic story has shifted over the decades, the divides created along the way, and the alternatives already being built. It sets out practical steps for governments, enterprises and communities to move beyond isolated “Lego wins” and instead embed a wellbeing economy – one that puts dignity, fairness, connection and ecological care at its centre. 

As lead author, Katherine Trebeck, puts it:

Transformational change is possible. Australia has done it before – from Medicare to minimum wages – and we can do it again. 

The challenge

The paper traces Australia’s shift from predistribution – fair wages and public investment – to a model marked by precariousness, asset accumulation, and financial advantage for a few. It also highlights how system-compliant fixes and short-term crisis responses can stall deeper progress.

One in seven Australians live in poverty. Many face insecure work, unaffordable homes and stretched services that respond to crisis rather than prevent it. These outcomes are not inevitable. They are the result of decisions – shaped by values and power – that have concentrated advantage for some and shifted risks onto others. 

The alternatives

The good news that is change is possible. The economy is a human-made system, and it can be redesigned. Across the country, communities are already showing what that momentum for change is growing. Australians are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo and open to rethinking economic priorities.

One promising framework is the wellbeing economy, which according to the Wellbeing Economy Alliance can deliver the following needs:

Nature, connection, dignity, fairness, participation

There are plenty of examples of these goals already being delivered in practice:

Earthworker Cooperative (Latrobe Valley, VIC)	Australia’s first worker-owned factory, producing solar hot water systems to serve its worker-owners.
Food Connect Shed (Brisbane, QLD):	A cooperative food enterprise owned by 500+ ‘careholders’, rooted in equity and regeneration.
Marlinja Power Project (NT):	Community-installed solar panels and battery storage enabling near energy self-sufficiency – an example of climate resilience.

Governments are beginning to respond. The Federal Government’s Measuring What Matters statement is expanding how national success is defined, incorporating indicators for health, sustainability, and social cohesion. In Victoria, the Early Intervention Investment Framework is embedding preventative health and social approaches into budget decisions, valuing long-term wellbeing over short-term fixes.

Australia’s future depends on whether we can move beyond piecemeal reforms to embrace systemic change. By learning from community-led initiatives and adopting frameworks like the wellbeing economy, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and caring society – one that works for everyone.

Read the full report here:

DOWNLOAD REPORT

Building Hay’s future together: early insights from the economic transition roadmap

The Next Economy and Hay Shire Council have been working side by side with the local community to better understand how Hay’s economy works today and what it will take to secure a stronger future. Over the past year, more than 240 residents, businesses and stakeholders have shared their perspectives through workshops, interviews and conversations.

The result is the newly published Early Insights Paper, which explores Hay’s unique economy, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities already emerging.

A deeply connected local economy

What makes Hay distinctive is not just its agricultural base or strategic location on trade and tourism routes, but the way economic and social life is deeply interconnected. From local producers sharing transport runs, to volunteers stepping in where services are scarce, Hay’s resilience depends on people and relationships as much as dollars and cents.

Turning pressure into opportunity

The final Roadmap will highlight clear areas where focused action can turn pressure into opportunity. Housing, for example, has emerged as one of the most urgent challenges. Council and partners are already exploring innovative approaches such as transitioning worker accommodation into permanent housing – a practical step that can help meet short-term needs while leaving a lasting benefit for the region.

Grounded in local identity

Alison McLean, Executive Manager for Economic Development and Tourism at Hay Shire Council, puts it simply:

Without this groundwork, there’s a risk of defaulting to what everyone else does. We are not Wagga, we are not Griffith – we have our very own unique economy, threats and opportunities.

From insights to action

This paper is an important milestone, but it is also part of a broader process of engagement and real-time action being taken to manage change across the region. Over the coming months, Council and The Next Economy will continue to work with the community to refine priorities, test solutions and activate partnerships across housing, primary production innovation, workforce development and industry diversification.

You can read the paper here:

READ THE PAPER

Read the local media release for an expanded summary here:

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE

Getting a better deal for regions hosting renewables

The new Striking a New Deal report highlights what regional areas need from renewable energy development. Our engagement in Uralla Shire shows how these national issues are playing out locally.

The big picture

Across Australia’s regions hosting large scale renewable energy, you will hear a mix of pride, frustration and worry. Pride in helping power the country’s clean energy future, mixed with annoyance of the little recognition from the big cities of the heavy lift they are doing to supply the nation’s power. Frustration that so much about wind, solar and battery projects feel unclear. And Worry about the pressure they could put on housing, already stretched services, and the character of local towns.

SaND project leads (ProjectsJSA, TNE, RE-Alliance, FRRR) at the Regional Leaders Forum in Newcastle

These realities are at the heart of a recent report, Striking a New Deal for Renewables in Regions, written under the Striking a New Deal collaboration. It draws on insights from leaders in communities already experiencing significant renewable energy investment and spells out what people say they need to feel confident about the shift: clear and accessible information, honest conversations about risks as well as opportunities, investment in housing, services and infrastructure before the impacts hit, and binding agreements so benefits arrive and last.

Zooming in on Uralla Shire

Much of this will sound familiar to anyone living in a renewable energy hotspot, but it is important to continue to highlight these issues so policymakers and industry can respond.

In June 2025, we ran community workshops and conversations with around 150 residents in Uralla Shire, which sits in the New England Renewable Energy Zone. We heard from a wide range of locals, and what we heard echoed the SaND report almost point for point.

One of five SaND community workshops carried out in Uralla Shire

Uncertainty and trust

How do we beat all the misinformation going around?
Uralla Shire resident

People told us they do not know what will be built, when, or how projects will fit together. This lack of clarity fuels anxiety and leaves room for rumours to grow. We have collected a long list of community questions which shows that most residents know little about the details of development and are not sure where to turn for reliable answers.

When people are not given timely and accurate information, they fill the gaps themselves, and the risk of misinformation rises. People told us they want developers and government to be proactive in explaining what is and is not yet known, rather than letting people find out in fragments over time.

Balancing benefits and risks

The report calls for “risk and opportunity accounts” which are plain language summaries of what is promised, what is at risk and how it will be managed. People in Uralla want exactly that. They also want to see the full picture, including cumulative impacts. Many asked how multiple projects together will affect local water supplies, road networks, housing, and biodiversity.

Housing was the most urgent concern. Residents fear rising rents and fewer homes for locals as temporary workforces move in. Health and aged care services are already under strain. Roads, water and waste systems are under similar pressures.

At the same time, people see opportunities such as upgrading infrastructure, training local young people for good jobs, revitalising community spaces and restoring nature.

I can see things have got to change. But my concern is the soul of Uralla.
Uralla Shire resident

Some of our younger participants at another community workshop

Securing a fair deal

Both the SaND report and Uralla locals are calling for certainty in agreements between developers and communities, not just handshake promises. People want commitments that survive a change of project ownership. They want these commitments to cover things like job pathways for local youth, healthcare investment, housing solutions, and protection of farmland, biodiversity and the Shire’s heritage.

If we cannot fight it, make it better.
Uralla Shire resident

Building from strengths

In Uralla, we have taken a strengths-based approach. This means starting with what works and what people value. The active volunteer networks, the character and creativity of main street Uralla, the entrepreneurial spirit in its many independent shops, and the strong sense of neighbours looking out for one another as seen during the recent snow event. Building on these assets is essential if renewable energy development is to enhance the community rather than erode it.

Legacy is the name of the game, no two ways about that.
Uralla Shire resident

And what came out clearly is that residents do not want business as usual planning if benefit funds flow in. They want legacy projects that make life better for all residents, not just a few.

Watch this space for the full output of our engagement work with Uralla Shire Council in the spring.

TNE SaND project delivery team in Uralla: Saideh and Lyndsay

What is Striking a New Deal (SaND)?

Striking a New Deal is a collaboration between The Next Economy, RE-Alliance, Projects JSA and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. It brings together local voices, regional leaders and national policy discussions to make sure communities hosting renewable energy get a fair deal.

SaND has three interconnected strands:

Regional Leaders Network: bringing together leaders from across renewable energy regions to share experiences, challenges and solutions.

Place-based work: partnering with Uralla Shire Council to test ways of engaging communities and planning for long-term benefits from renewable energy investment.

Policy influencing: sharing insights from communities and leaders to inform governments, industry and the public. The Striking a New Deal for Renewables in Regions report was released under this strand.

Striking a New Deal for Uralla Shire

At the end of May, The Next Economy visited Uralla Shire as part of our work on ‘Striking a New Deal’ (SaND)** – a place-based project delivered in partnership with Uralla Shire Council in NSW to support meaningful community engagement and develop a Renewable Energy Strategic Plan.

Uralla Shire sits within the New England Renewable Energy Zone, an area identified for major renewable energy development, and this plan will support Council to understand community priorities, surface early concerns, identify opportunities for investment and ensure accountability as the region grapples with change.

We spent the week speaking with landholders, business owners, and community leaders. It was clear from these early conversations that Uralla Shire is a place with a strong sense of identity shaped by collaboration, entrepreneurship, and care for their people and land.

New-England-Solar-farm-with-sheep — *Sheep grazing under the New England Solar Farm, located close to Uralla town centre. Credit: Saideh Kent*

A Clear Sense of Place

We heard about Uralla’s deep volunteer culture – from the fire brigade to multiple active community interest groups – and about the pride people take in living a self-reliant, community-minded lifestyle. People spoke about looking after the land, farming in sustainable ways, and working together respectfully.

As Saideh Kent, Energy Lead at The Next Economy, noted: “Uralla has an incredible sense of place. People here are proud of what they’ve built together and want to protect that as the region changes.”

This strength is something to build on – not just preserve – as the community navigates the changes ahead.

Why Community Input Matters

Some people we spoke with were uncertain about the value of yet another consultation. That’s understandable, especially as timelines shift or information feels confusing.

“When people are involved early, it’s easier to identify concerns, make better plans, and ensure new development strengthens what’s already good,” Saideh said.

The reality is that council does not have the power to say yes or no to these large-scale renewable energy projects. But what council can do is play a key role in managing this wave of change well – by minimising potential disruptions, identifying shared benefits, and ensuring that development aligns with what the community values.

To do that, council needs to hear directly from people across the Shire. Upcoming community workshops in late June are designed to provide that opportunity -for residents to name priorities, raise concerns, and help shape how renewable energy projects contribute to Uralla’s future.

*A sign showing different routes off Uralla main street, which is located on the New England Highway. Credit: Lyndsay Walsh*

Choosing the Right Route

This is about more than managing change, it’s about collectively choosing the right route forward. From infrastructure and land use to investment priorities, now is the time to ask: what does good development look like for Uralla Shire? How do we make sure that new projects leave a lasting, positive legacy?

“This isn’t just about wind turbines or transmission lines,” Saideh said. “It’s about making sure Uralla stays a great place to live – with good jobs, healthy landscapes, and a vision for the future that people are excited about.”

How these projects are managed will determine the road ahead, but with the right planning and participation, that can lead where the community wants to go.

Where the Magic Happens

Walking down Uralla’s main street, we spotted a sign in a shop window: ‘This is where the magic happens.’ It felt fitting. The real magic lies in the conversations we’re helping to plan and in the spirit of community that already runs strong in Uralla.

As one local we interviewed put it, “The only way I’m happy living where I am is if my community is happy and going well.” That’s exactly what this work is about, creating the space to support and grow that shared wellbeing.

The Next Economy is currently designing the next phase of engagement based on what we’ve heard so far. Community-wide workshops will run from 25–29 June 2025. You can read more about those and our work with Uralla Shire here: https://yoursay.uralla.nsw.gov.au/sand

**SaND supports regional communities as they navigate the development of renewable energy in their area. Together with Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, RE Alliance and Projects JSA, The Next Economy, supports a peer-to-peer network of regional leaders sharing insights with government and industry as part of the SaND project. You can read more about the partnership here: https://nexteconomy.com.au/work/driving-better-community-outcomes-from-renewable-projects/

Heading Upstream: Towards a Wellbeing Economy

This short paper introduces key ideas and real-world examples driving a shift toward a wellbeing economy in Australia.

The Next Economy is working with partners to secure a future where everyone can thrive and the natural world is cherished and protected. Achieving this vision requires more than isolated reforms — it calls for a fundamental transformation of our economic systems.

In 2024, with support from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, TNE convened a two-day gathering of change agents from across Australia. Together, we explored the preconditions for systems change and examined the opportunities and barriers to reshaping our economy.

This short paper, Heading Upstream to Tackle the Economic Root Causes, distils key insights prepared for that gathering. It introduces foundational concepts that highlight the need for upstream economic change and illustrates how our current economic structures often fall short of serving people and planet.

We frame this transformation through the lens of the 4Ps:

Purpose: Reorienting the economy to serve wellbeing.
Prevention: Tackling root causes rather than symptoms.
Predistribution: Designing fairness into the system from the start.
People Powered: Ensuring communities have a voice in shaping their futures.

Dr Katherine Trebeck, Economy Change lead at The Next Economy, said: “Across Australia, inspiring examples of these shifts are emerging. “For example, the ACT’s wellbeing framework, the appointment of a Minister for Prevention in WA and efforts by businesses to make their production processes more circular. And even enterprises like Honorbread in Bermagui becoming employee-owned and communities working together to benefit from the rollout of renewable energy.”

“However, these examples remain the exception, not the norm. This paper serves as a primer for those curious about what upstream economic change looks like and why it matters.”

Read the paper and join us on this journey:

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Read more about Katherine’s work at The Next Economy:

📢 Stay tuned: In the coming months, we’ll be releasing a broader research project that dives deeper into the state of the Australian economy and how we can reimagine it to support collective wellbeing.

On the ground in Hay: building a future-ready regional economy

In the heart of NSW’s Riverina region, the town of Hay is asking big questions about its future.

Over a week in April, The Next Economy met with more than 30 local landholders, business owners, and community leaders to explore how the regional economy works—and how it can adapt to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“We’re working with the Hay community to build a rich picture of the local economy—how it operates, who’s involved, and what’s needed to make it more resilient and future-ready,” says Jacqui Bell, Project Lead at The Next Economy.

This work is part of a broader effort to co-develop a regional economic roadmap—a guide to help Hay navigate dynamic social, environmental, and economic change. The process is grounded in local knowledge and shaped by the lived experience of those who call the region home.

This work follows on from the development of a set of principles for successful renewable energy development in Hay (in partnership with Re-Alliance), and the Regional Resilience Plan (in partnership with TNE and the Australian Resilience Centre) in Hay over the past two years.

Asking the Right Questions

The conversations in Hay are centred around a series of powerful questions:

What does our economy look like, and why does it work the way it does?
What trends—local and global—are shaping our future?
What can we do together that we can’t do alone?
How do we ensure that the wealth generated here benefits the whole community?

These questions are helping to surface both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the region’s economy, and to identify opportunities for collective action.

A Sector Under Pressure

Hay, like many regional communities, is facing cascading pressures: rising costs of living, workforce shortages, climate impacts, and uncertainty around the energy transition. These challenges are compounded by confusing policy signals and complex market mechanisms—particularly in the agriculture and land sectors.

“There’s growing interest from global markets and investors in low-emissions, nature-positive products,” says Jacqui. “But those signals often aren’t reaching producers on the ground—or they’re too weak or confusing to drive meaningful change.”

This disconnect is contributing to scepticism and fatigue in communities already being asked to take on significant risk to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

No One-Size-Fits-All

The Next Economy’s work in Hay reinforces a key insight: context matters. A one-size-fits-all approach to agricultural transition won’t work in Australia. Each region has its own assets, challenges, and aspirations.

“How transitions are managed locally will shape the future of entire regions,” Jacqui explains. “Strategic planning and coordination are essential—not just to respond to change, but to shape it in ways that are fair, effective, and grounded in place.”

What’s Next

The roadmap being developed with the Hay community will help guide investment, policy, and local action. It’s part of a growing movement across regional Australia—where communities are stepping up to lead the transition to a climate-safe, regenerative, and socially just economy.

“This isn’t just about adapting to change,” says Jacqui. “It’s about creating the conditions for communities to thrive in the next economy.”

Launching the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap

The Next Economy, together with Mount Isa City Council and Climate-KIC Australia, is proud to launch the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap.

Mount Isa, like many other industrial regions, is at the crossroads of major economic change. The region has a rich asset base, including the North West Minerals Province, but faces the imminent closure of the Mount Isa Mine’s underground copper mine operations and copper concentrator.

This closure will impact approximately 1,200 workers from mid-2025 and the future of the local copper industry, a change that needs to be managed alongside increasing demand for critical minerals, affordable and reliable energy generation and storage options, and innovative logistics solutions. Global trade uncertainty and climate impacts further complicate this picture.

Whether Mount Isa successfully navigates these changes will be critical to the success of Australia’s net zero ambitions, and global decarbonisation goals.

The Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap provides a clear and ambitious vision for the future of Mount Isa against this backdrop of regional change, global uncertainty, and new opportunities.

In this future, Mount Isa thrives. The regional economy enables Australia’s net zero transformation, contributing to the next generation of clean energy and critical minerals exports and processing . Local industry and the community lead innovative solutions to long-standing and emerging challenges, benefiting from a focus on circular economy approaches, decarbonisation, environmental sustainability and regeneration, and social wellbeing.

This vision is underpinned by the application of the Future Ready Economy Framework. This Framework has been designed by The Next Economy and Climate-KIC to assist decision-makers in regions like Mount Isa to assess economic opportunities against six key dimensions of positive and resilient development.

Along with regional stakeholder engagements and expert input, the Framework has informed the development of future ready development pathways, strategies and potential actions for Mount Isa’s five key economic sectors—energy, mining, transport, agriculture and tourism—and the foundations of a thriving community.

By adopting a future ready lens to regional economic development, Mount Isa is ensuring that today’s planning and investment decisions position the region for long-term success.

With the right planning and investment from key partners, including the Queensland Government and Australian Government, and industry, Mount Isa can pursue these pathways and become a global player in a decarbonising world.

To find out more, download the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy Roadmap.

*Mount Isa has a proud history of innovation and mining excellence which can continue to thrive with the right investment and collaboration between industry, government and the community.* Photo: Chris Grose.

Book launch and events for Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible

Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible is out now. Join us at one of the many launches happening across the country from 5 March 2025.

It’s time for an honest conversation on the state of the energy transition, the remaining challenges, and what regions need to manage impacts and capture long-term benefits.

Australia is at a critical juncture in the energy transition. Once deemed impossible, the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is now well underway. For the transition to be just and sustainable, it is vital that regional communities, those at the forefront of change, are listened to.

The newly released book, Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible, provides an in-depth look at the challenges and successes of energy transitions in five key Australian coal regions: Port Augusta, the Latrobe Valley, Collie, the Hunter Valley, and Central Queensland.

With insights from over 20 contributors—including government officials, academics, industry experts, and community leaders—this book is an essential read for anyone invested in Australia’s energy future. It was co-edited by Dr Gareth Edwards, Professor John Wiseman, and Dr. Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy.

Recent events

Gladstone, Central Queensland – Date change to 7 May 2025

📅 Date: Wednesday 7 May 5pm – 7pm AEST
📍 Location: Rex Metcalfe Theatre, Leo Zussino Building (Building 3), CQUniversity, Gladstone Campus
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Mayor Matt Burnett (Mayor of Gladstone Regional Council), Dr Amanda Cahill (book editor and CEO of The Next Economy), Kristy Marks, Economic Development Manager for Gladstone Regional Council and Craig Jones (Chief Financial Officer at Alpha HPA).

Melbourne, Victoria

📅 Date: Wednesday, 5 March, 5pm – 7pm AEDT
📍 Location: Forum 3, Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
🌍 Host: Melbourne Climate Futures with The Next Economy
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation chaired by Professor John Wiseman alongside fellow book editors Dr Gareth Edwards and Dr Amanda Cahill, Sharan Burrow (Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation) and Dan Musil (Book contributor and Secretary, Earthworker Cooperative).

Latrobe Valley, Victoria

📅 Date: Tuesday 11 March, 6pm – 7.30pm AEDT
📍 Location: Morwell Innovation Centre, 1 Monash Way, Morwell
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Dan Musil (Latrobe Valley chapter contributor), Chris Buckingham (CEO, Latrobe Valley Authority), Josie Hess (Environment Victoria, award-winning filmmaker) and Jeffrey Jacquet (Global Director, Global Coal Transitions Research Network).

Hunter Valley, New South Wales

📅 Date: Wednesday, 12th March, 6pm – 7.45pm AEDT
📍 Location: NUspace, The University of Newcastle (Room TBC), Newcastle
🌍 Host: Institute for Regional Futures
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Amanda Cahill (book editor and CEO of The Next Economy), Associate Professor Liam Phelan (book contributor, University of Newcastle), Warrick Jordan (book contributor and Policy Specialist, the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation), and Professor Kate Senior (Acting Director, the Institute for Regional Futures).

Sydney, New South Wales

📅 Date: Thursday, 13th March, 5pm – 6pm AEDT
📍 Location: Seminar Room 203, RD Watt Building, Camperdown
🌍 Host: Sydney Environment Institute with The Next Economy
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation chaired by Professor Susan Park (Professor of Global Governance, University of Sydney), with Dr Gareth Edwards (book editor, Visiting Associate Professor, University of East Anglia), Kimberley Crofts (book contributor, Researcher and Service Designer), and Dr Elianor Gerrard (book contributor, Institute for Sustainable Futures).

Brisbane, Queensland

📅 Date: Tuesday, 1st April, 5.15pm – 6.30pm AEST
📍 Location: Room 0M08 (enter via lift in Atrium), UQ City, 308 Queen Street
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation with Trevor Gauld (Deputy Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia), Dr Amanda Cahill (book editor and CEO of The Next Economy), Liz Young (Research Director of the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub at Centre for Policy Futures, UQ), and Carly Quinn (General Manager People and Strategy at Gladstone Regional Council).

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

📅 Date: Thursday, 10th April, 5pm – 7pm AEST
📍 Location: Law Link Theatre, Fellows Lane, Australian National University, Canberra
🎟 Tickets: Get tickets here

🎤 Speakers: An honest conversation hosted by Professor Frank Jotzo with David Shankey (CEO of Net Zero Economy Authority), Dr Amanda Cahill (co-editor and author, CEO of The Next Economy), Associate Professor Bec Colvin (researcher on energy transition at ANU), and Jo Evans (former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water).

What you’ll learn from the book

Regional Energy Transitions in Australia captures vital insights from communities that have navigated the transition away from fossil fuels over the past decade. It shows that:

All energy transitions are local. They must be shaped by the histories, cultures, and needs of the communities most affected.
Justice is key. A just transition means supporting workers and communities, including through re-employment, retraining, and early retirement options.
Leadership and coordination matters. Strong governance, inclusive participation, and long-term policy stability are essential.

Regional case studies

Five coal regions featured in the book offer a powerful story about energy transitions in practice:

Port Augusta, SA tells a story of community optimism and renewable investment tempered by inadequate support by state and federal governments.
The Latrobe Valley, VIC grappled with unplanned coal-fired power station closures and built resilience through rapid community and government collaboration.
Collie, WA provides a powerful example of inclusive participation in transition planning, championed by First Nations Elders.
The Hunter Valley, NSW has shown the importance of local coalitions working together to put community needs on the agenda during a complex regional economic transition.
Gladstone, Central QLD demonstrates the importance of inclusive and locally driven engagement to shift from fossil fuels to renewable industries.

Praise for the book

This collection presents a unique set of insights into how energy transition can be achieved at the regional level.
Prof. Frank Jotzo, ANU

“From ‘impossible to possible’ is a testament to hope and tenacity. The lessons learned from these regions demonstrate that the support of and co-creation with workers and community, along with government support, make the difference.”
Sharan Burrow, Former General Secretary
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

Get your copy

Purchase Regional Energy Transitions in Australia: From Impossible to Possible now via Routledge.

📖 Order here: Routledge or Amazon.
🎟 Use the code 25AFLY1 for a 20% discount on hard copies via Routledge.
🛒 Available soon in paperback and electronic formats.

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Join the conversation and be part of Australia’s just and sustainable energy transition.

About the editors

Dr Gareth A.S. Edwards
Dr Edwards is Visiting Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia and Visiting Fellow at the Sydney Environment Institute. His research focuses on environmental governance, climate justice, and the socio-political dimensions of environmental change.

Professor John Wiseman
Professor Wiseman is a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Climate and Energy College and Chair of The Next Economy. He has extensive experience in public policy research, particularly in the areas of climate change, sustainability transitions, and social justice.

Dr Amanda Cahill
Dr Cahill is the CEO of The Next Economy, supporting communities in building resilient and sustainable economies. She has worked across Australia and internationally on projects related to economic development, energy transition, and social change.

Mixed signals and missed champions: regional transition trends

(October 2024) Across Australia, communities are leading the transition to net zero – navigating multiple, compounding disruptions along the way – after years of minimal action or even discussion on climate change at a national level.

TNE’s Jacqui Bell, Dr Katherine Trebeck and Dr Amanda Cahill share key insights, ranging on topics from regional transition trends to nature and land use trade-offs to wellbeing economy principles, at the 2024 Better Futures Forum in September 2024. Photo credits: BFF/Gab Connolle

Here are five key trends or themes Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy, and the team has observed in recent months:

Missing champions: The lived experiences of communities actively navigating the transition—experimenting, innovating, and addressing local needs—are often missing from the national conversation. From a community group in Gympie installing solar panels on local infrastructure to support vulnerable populations, including domestic violence shelters, to energy companies focused on creating long-term community benefits like housing, there are so many people getting on with it. We should be celebrating and learning from them.
Mixed signals: Regional communities are largely committed to the transition, but mixed signals from state and federal governments are not only frustrating they’re also undermining confidence to move forward with the real work. While there’s more investment in renewables and policies for net zero today than even a few years ago, new fossil fuel projects are still being approved even when expert bodies like the International Energy Agency say fossil fuel use must peak by 2025.
Models questioned: One of the most striking trends is the growing shift in how people think about the economy. For example, beyond day-to-day concerns like the cost of living, more communities are questioning the broader purpose of the economic system itself. The key question being asked is: if the economy isn’t directly benefiting local communities, what is its real value? Another question that keeps coming up is why development proponents decide whether their project will have social and environmental impacts on a community instead of a single, independent process and regulator. This shift in perspective signals a deeper rethinking of what good economic development really looks like. Read more: Rethinking economic responses: tackling the root causes of today’s challenges
Many forms: The net zero transition is taking different shapes for different communities. For example, Mount Isa in Queensland is exploring how they can help the world to decarbonise and what it will take to develop their critical minerals processing potential while navigating the complexities that come with it. Meanwhile, in Hay and Carrathool in NSW’s Riverina region, communities are exploring how they are moving towards a future in agriculture and land use that’s both resilient to the impacts of climate change while responding to the decarbonisation of global supply chains.
Moving forward: We are now in the implementation phase of the net zero transition. It’s going to be challenging for a while, but we need to stay on course and remember that the decisions we make now really do matter. Right now, the infrastructure we invest in, the industries we promote and support, and how we build the capacity and mechanisms to ensure enduring community benefits, are all going to determine whether we reach our 2050 net zero goals – let alone the more ambitious ones that the science tells us we should be striving for. We can find a way forward that works for people and the planet.

The good news is, we have the knowledge, technology, skills and resources to draw from, we just need to get on with it.

TNE staff at Heading Upstream Lab in August 2024, where leaders driving change across Australia convened to explore ways to put people and the planet first when it comes to the economy.

Increasing inclusivity in the clean energy workforce

New research from UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) shows the electricity workforce alone needs to double within five years to meet Australia’s 2030 renewable energy target. More than 80 per cent of these roles will be in renewables, with energy storage jobs soon surpassing domestic coal and gas sectors.

This research highlights the big opportunity to address workforce shortages, especially in regional areas, by fostering inclusive policies that ensure equitable benefits and meaningful employment across all communities. Prioritising inclusion and equity in workforce development is key to a just and fair transition toward a net-zero future for all Australians.

In September, The Next Economy provided a submission for the National Energy Workforce Strategy Consultation Paper. We identified five examples of actions that already are or have to potential to empower regions in clean energy workforce development (read more here) alongside the following key insights:

The benefits of enhancing diverse participation and meaningful employment

Every Australian should benefit from clean energy development, including the opportunity to access and meaningfully participate in the workforce. Research shows Australia’s clean energy workforce, like many other industries, has room to improve in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Factors like competition with other industries and projects, lack of training, the characteristics of clean energy jobs, and insufficient regional consultation contribute to workforce shortages in the sector overall.

Greater attention to diversity, equity and inclusion in workforce development carries broad benefits. Companies who have engaged in inclusive hiring processes have reported benefits such as access to a larger talent pool, higher retention and satisfaction rates, improved workplace culture and greater performance and productivity. In turn, inclusive and equitable workforce development practices facilitate pathways into jobs for people who often face systemic barriers to employment. It also promotes greater workforce diversity, fosters a workers’ sense of belonging and inclusion, enhances health and social outcomes and ensures workers are treated with respect and dignity and more likely to be retained.

An opportunity to power First Nations Jobs

The clean energy transformation is an opportunity to increase workforce participation of First Nations Peoples. The Powering First Nations Jobs in Clean Energy report, by the First Nations Clean Energy Network, is a detailed resource that identifies pathways and options for First Nations Peoples to be supported to enter the clean energy workforce and access quality job opportunities and career pathways as they emerge.

Consistent, long-term Government investment in job readiness and business support programs that are led and codesigned by and for First Nations Peoples is needed. Such investment can support the scaling of efforts underway by the private sector in implementing partnerships and employment pathway programs tailored to First Nations Peoples. For example, in the Department of Defence’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Downer Defence worked with a range of partners to deliver training programs and initiatives that support small and medium sized Indigenous businesses to enter and thrive in the defence industry.

Support for migrants, refugees, people with a disability and those recently out of prison

Our research has found that affordability of training, lack of awareness around the need for workforce equity and inclusion, misconceptions about abilities, procurement requirements, development speed, and the culture of clean energy workplaces, all impede on the diverse participation in the clean energy workforce.

Strategies tailored to people and their unique context can drive greater participation in the clean energy workforce for different groups. These include building awareness, inspiration and attraction to clean energy careers across diverse populations, improving access to affordable higher education, ensuring ‘wrap around support’ is available for people transitioning into work, cross sectoral collaborations and partnerships, and fostering a workforce culture that is inclusive and values the abilities and contributions of all.

The rapidly growing clean energy sector is well poised to develop a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce at the scale and pace required to achieve national targets. Other related sectors have experienced the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce over the years and developed significant body of knowledge on how to support workforce development in an inclusive and equitable way. The clean energy sector has the advantage of drawing on this existing knowledge and ensure that opportunities in the clean energy workforce benefits all Australians.

Central Queensland Energy Futures Summit

By Dr Emma Whittlesea

The Central Queensland Energy Futures Summit was a gathering of over 140 stakeholders, in Gladstone in April 2021, representing local and state government, energy companies and regulators, industrial sectors, unions, education and training institutions, Traditional Owners and environmental groups.

Amanda Cahill speaks at the Energy Future Summit — Amanda Cahill speaks at the summit

The Summit was hosted by The Next Economy and would not have been possible without the generous support of the sponsors Stanwell, CleanCo, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), CQUniversity and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

This report by The Next Economy summarises the activities over the two days and the key messages that came out of audience participation.

Download the report

What Queensland Wants Report

Regional Perspectives on Building a Stronger Economy

By Dr Amanda Cahill

As the COVID pandemic hit, The Next Economy compiled the many economic stimulus ideas we’d collected from across Queensland into a report called “What Queensland Wants”. The report was well received by the State government, with a number of the recommendations being adopted as election promises.

The report also generated extensive media and public interest when it was released, garnering more than 62 media mentions, articles syndicated across 19 regional News Limited publications, 5 radio interviews and a regional television interview. The media attention in turn generated further interest from state and federal MPs.